The text massage sent by Paul Bwalya (HH SHOULD CHECK DEFECTORS TO UPND – Daily Nation, May 27th, 2016) has some serious/important questions that every UPND sympathiser should have.

Why should the UPND be the only political party receiving all the disgruntled politicians?

Well, it is either HH is blind or he’s just playing ‘Russian roulette’ by himself. It is said desperation is bad for one vying for leadership.

HH seems to be so desperate to be in State House that he’s now signing every memorandum of understanding (MoU) that is waved in his face. As a result, he’s so confused and disoriented on who should be his running mate.

HH can’t even see how the people who have been loyal to him since the UPND was formed have been eclipsed by the new comers.

Believe you me, this is desperation at its best, now taking effect in HH’s political life.

This is the man who recently signed an MoU with a de-registered party (Democratic Front – DF) of Miles Sampa and Guy Scott. Now he has signed another MoU with an embattled leader of the MMD, Dr. Nevers Mumba.

What is it that Dr. Mumba can offer to HH and the UPND if not more problems?

And for Dr. Mumba to say he’s not asking for any position but just that of a mere servant, that’s just a see-through lie.

People like him who love power don’t change overnight.

He’s just playing ‘sheep’ when he’s a ‘wolf’, pretending. This is the man who seems to love taking people to court.

The very moment the UPND will skip a word or a letter of what has being signed in the MoU, be sure the pastor turned politician will sue.

I can bet my wallet to this that the same visitors HH is welcoming with both hands in the UPND, will be the same people who will contribute to his down fall.

The Bembas say, ‘Ichikupempula, echikulya’ and by the time HH will realise this, the people he has welcomed with both hands will be the ones in the drivers’ seat of the UPND.

Watch the space.

Troy Mukupa

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Genuine devolution to resolve Barotseland’s stalemate

Dear Editor,

This is in reference to William Harrington’s letter to the editor:

“Barotseland quest for return to Nationhood and Statehood” (Daily Nation, May 26, 2016).

I will go one step further and ask the Trustee of Barotse National Freedom Alliance (BNFA) a question that should take things another step further than the publication of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 done twice following directives by two PF presidents, which in his view, has done nothing to resolve the long-standing impasse over Barotseland’s quest for return to nationhood and statehood.

This is following the abrogation or repudiation of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 in 1969, which gave President Kenneth Kaunda a free hand to introduce sweeping constitutional changes that among other things transferred much of the taxation and service delivery powers of Western Province to the central government.

What if there was no unwillingness of previous governments to seriously dismantle the colonial fundamentals that had been in the Barotseland Agreement of 1964?

Unacceptably, these colonial fundamentals had been so effective against Zambian interests meaning that regional inequalities in development and resources have continued to fuel the demand for devolution throughout Zambia’s close to 52 years of independence.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that genuine devolution could resolve Barotseland’s stalemate and become one of the most unifying issues in the run-up to the general elections on 11 August.

Generally, the devolution exercise would be meant to achieve a number of objectives, chief among them are: To give powers of self-governance to the people; to recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs; and to enhance their participation in decisions affecting their lives.

Needless to say, genuine devolution could be a big leap in the

democratisation process of our country.

The amended Constitution coupled with blending of Clause 4 and the Annex of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 in Zambia’s decentralisation programme and policy would be a major transformation of the Republic, more especially when replicated across all 10 provinces.

What options can BNFA draw from the above that it could apply to the Barotse people’s day-to-day lives?

Notwithstanding, William Harrington’s request to have the publication of the Barotse National Council (BNC) resolutions of 14th March 2014.

Mubanga Luchembe,

LUSAKA

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Zambia’s political chameleons

Dear Editor,

As we head to the general elections this year, the story of Zambia’s opposition has been characterised by attempts to unite and oust the ruling PF from power.

According to some would-be voters, this is proof of what President Edgar Lungu has described as democracy in the making – or the freedom to create opportunities to oppose his policies. However, some hard-core PF campaigners believe that allowing several parties to form electoral alliances in a country of less than 10 million registered voters is indicative of the ineffective divide-and-rule tactics of the ruling party.

Zambians are observing a situation where embattled MMD ex-leader Nevers Mumba officially decided to take a ride with opposition UPND barely a week after former Lunte member of parliament Felix Mutati became president of the party by sailing through unopposed during the party’s convention held at the Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe (“Nevers ‘joins’ UPND” – Daily Nation, May 27, 2016).

“How can we expect anything good to come out of the opposition?” PF campaigners are asking.

Under Nevers Mumba’s leadership, MMD was tearing itself apart, with factions breaking up literally every day, and key members being forced to quit or seeking greener pastures elsewhere.

How did Nevers Mumba intend to govern a country if he could not govern a political party? Observers are asking. Another criticism levelled at Zambia’s opposition politicians is that they are opportunistic. They keep on jumping from one party to another.

For instance, during the 2015 presidential election, Guy Scott as acting state president was subtly championing the cause of the opposition, alongside the UDF president, Miles Sampa and others.

2 Responses to “”

But where do you want the disgruntled politicians from PF or MMD go? You are just jealousy that HH has solved the tribal equation and with this support he is headed for state house unless Chimense and Chulu/ Isaacs rig for Lungu or Chimense takes over as a military leader just to stop HH as rumor has it. But then he will preside over a completely broke nation.